Daw Suu to obtain new powers under draft law

A draft law that would create a crucial critical post in government specifically designed for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is to be debated in the upper house today, although a senior MP rejected that she would in impact end up being prime minister.

The state counsellor law was authorized for argument by the upper house the other day without objection following discussion by the costs committee, in the new federal government s very first legislative act since taking office on March 30.

U Aung Kyi Nyunt, the National League for Democracy MP chairing the committee, explained that the bill had actually been crafted for the party leader because of the constitutional ban on her ending up being president under article 59(f). The party would not quit its attempts to change the constitution, he stated.

We put on t understand how long it will take to alter to change the constitution. So we chose in this manner [ the expense] prior to we can change it. The day we alter 59(f), the law would be eliminated, U Aung Kyi Nyunt stated, describing the post that disallows those with close foreign relatives from the presidency.

At the very same time he said the bill was prepared for the sake of the nation and people, not from personal interest or on behalf of an organisation.

Diplomats and experts informed about the costs said its purpose was in effect to produce a position identical to that of prime minister for the NLD leader, who already has four ministerial portfolios in the brand-new cabinet under President U Htin Kyaw, who is working as her proxy.

As a member of the executive, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi needs to relinquish her seat in parliament but the expense appears created to maintain her links to the legislature, which continues to be the NLD s power base following its definite election success last November.

The bill, containing 5 chapters and 8 sections, states as its function the advancement of a multi-party democratic system, a market economy, the structure of a federal Union, and peace and advancement of the Union.

It says the function of state counsellor will be to offer advice for the state in the residents interests in a way that does not contravene the constitution. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would also have the responsibility of reporting to parliament, as associated to her functions, and provided a budget plan. Feel free to contact if you know about how can a bank sue you.

U Aung Kyi Nyunt said parliament would attempt to approve the costs quickly. Once authorized by the upper house, it would then transfer to the lower house, with the NLD holding bulks in both chambers.The constitution would not allow it, he stated.

We created the costs so that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can officially offer suggestions to federal government in structure shared trust and the national reconciliation process. The purpose of the costs is extremely easy and sincere. The bill grants [Daw Aung San Suu Kyi] the right to seek advice from, not authority [making decisions], he added.

The NLD states it is sending the bill in accordance with section 217 of the constitution which sets out the executive powers of the president in relation to parliament. U Aung Kyi Nyunt kept in mind the area enabled the Union parliament to give functions and powers.

There is no arrangement in the constitution for the consultation of a Prime Minister, but there is nothing in the constitution either which prevents this, Derek Tonkin, a previous UK ambassador, wrote in a commentary last month, amid speculation over how Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would formally assume power, together with a proxy president.

Some political experts were not persuaded the NLD had actually made the right decision, although there was speculation over whether the NLD leader may have reached a behind-the-scenes deal with the armed force.

Experts asked about the burdens carried by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on top of her 4 ministerial posts, and how the brand-new law would risk antagonising the military which has not forgotten her pre-election pledge to be above the president.

The NLD said they develop the bill according to article 217, however post 217 is not precise. I believe this might cause a constitutional crisis, stated analyst U Yan Myo Thein. There was no instant public response by the military, which holds 25 percent of seats in parliament and manages three crucial ministries. When upper house Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than the other day asked for parliament s see on disputing the costs, military MPs did not object. U Than Soe Naing, a political expert, sees the bill as trying to develop cooperation between the executive and the legislature rather than hindering each other s independence.

As far as I can see, this position has the good intention of reducing future friction between the legislative and executive powers. We had actually seen that there was power rivalry in between the federal government and parliament over the last five years, he stated. He added, military agents might still object, noting that they objected last month to a motion by an NLD MP that touched the interests of the military-owned Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited. Lower house NLD MP Daw Thet Khine says she is positive the military will comply. We require cooperation. We have to construct a good civil-military relationship as we are committed to nationwide reconciliation, she said.

We should respect the Tatmadaw s perspective. They ought to appreciate the chosen MPs opinions. The method is currently prepared ahead, but what is simply required is cooperation, she added. Given its majority in both chambers, the NLD is hopeful parliament might even pass the bill before the Thingyan recess begins on April 5.

If the lower house concurs as the upper house authorizes it, it can be presumed the Union parliament will approve the costs automatically. The expense can be enacted rapidly., said U Aung Kyi Nyunt stated.